InfoSAWIT, MUKOMUKO – The Mukomuko Regency Government in Bengkulu Province is intensifying farmer guidance and irrigation improvements to prevent the conversion of rice fields into oil palm plantations, as part of efforts to strengthen regional food security.
Hari Mastaman, Head of the Mukomuko Agriculture Office, stated that the local government is currently focused on farmer assistance programs while accelerating irrigation infrastructure improvements.
According to him, adequate irrigation infrastructure is key to reducing the risk of land conversion. In recent years, several rice fields have been converted due to limited water supply in certain farming areas.
Some rice fields have not received optimal irrigation because of inadequate infrastructure. As a result, declining productivity has encouraged some farmers to switch to oil palm cultivation, which is perceived as more economically promising.
“If irrigation infrastructure functions well and water supply is sufficient, the potential for land conversion can certainly be reduced,” he said, as reported by Antara and cited by InfoSAWIT.
Seeking Central and Provincial Support
Amid local budget constraints, the regency government has submitted proposals to both central and provincial governments for irrigation rehabilitation and supporting infrastructure development.
In 2025, despite regional budget efficiency measures, funding under the Presidential Instruction (Inpres) program for irrigation infrastructure has opened opportunities for additional support. Allocations from the Ministry of Public Works, channeled through the River Basin Agency (Balai Wilayah Sungai/BWS), are focused on Mukomuko Regency.
3,400 Hectares of Rice Fields Prioritized
Mukomuko Regency currently has around 3,400 hectares of rice fields, primarily located in the Air Manjuto and Selagan Irrigation Areas.
The local government hopes that strengthened irrigation infrastructure and continuous farmer assistance will help safeguard rice field sustainability and maintain their contribution to regional food security amid ongoing oil palm plantation development. (T2)
